Photographing a baby bump

Exactly a week ago today I had the exquisite pleasure of photographing my friend Jessica and her baby bump! Jessica, like myself, is a Westerner married to a Moroccan and living here in Casablanca, and she’s nine months pregnant with their first child. We met sometime last year through a mutual friend, and though we haven’t seen much of each other we kept in touch. (Plus apparently she counts among the mysterious readers of this blog. I always wonder who reads this other than my immediate family!)

Talk about a glowing mama!

When she and her hubby Ahmed talked about getting some pregnancy pictures taken, somehow I came to mind, and she asked me a few weeks ago if I’d be interested. To be totally honest I was a bit nervous—the nice camera lens my mom had lent me over the fall is now back with her in the US, and though I had photographed events before and helped out with many photoshoots, I’d never done a proper photoshoot of my own. Nevertheless I was excited by the opportunity to extend my repertoire and help out a friend!

The photoshoot was fantastic—the light coming in through their living room window couldn’t have been better, and the pale yellow walls and big window were perfect backdrops. Jessica was relaxed and happy, and Ahmed enjoyed himself too! Given that they were in their own home, they were able to act very naturally, which was exactly what I wanted to capture. I truly couldn’t have asked for better or more pleasant models. Now I can’t wait till baby comes—that’ll be a new challenge!

Jessica and Ahmed had just recently moved, and when she gave me directions to their new place the night before the shoot we realized it was just down the road from us! I didn’t walk there, but easily could have in 15 or 20 minutes! I’ve recently realized how important it is to have friends who are in similar life situations to you, and Othman and I don’t really have married friends—especially mixed culture couples like us—so I was really happy to learn they are now just down the street. And that’s not to mention the fact that they’ll soon have a beautiful newborn to photograph and cuddle with!

I spent the week selecting and editing the pictures, and last night Othman and I went over to Jessica’s and Ahmed’s for dinner. We ate well, talked endlessly about all sorts of fascinating subjects, had a photoshoot slideshow (thank goodness they were pleased!), and generally had a wonderful time! It was the first time Othman and Ahmed met, and they seemed to hit it off. Hopefully we’ll have many more such dinners in the future!

Wishing you all the best, Jessica, Ahmed and Little One, and can’t wait to see your family grow and blossom!